“There’s solar panels on my roof. The previous owner told me they’re working, but that’s all I know.” We get that call all the time, and Edwin O’Dea says they’re some of his favourite calls to take. Buying a house with solar is a great start. You’ve just inherited a system with no manual and no idea how it’s been looked after.
The good news is it doesn’t take long to get your head around. This is the same walkthrough Edwin gives new owners over the phone.
1. Find the inverter
The panels on the roof make the power. The inverter is the box that turns it into power your house can use. It’s usually in the garage, on an outside wall near the meter board, or in a cupboard. Some houses with a battery will have that mounted nearby too.
Once you’ve found it, take a photo of the label and the screen. Every brand works a little differently, and the photo tells us straight away what you’ve got.
2. Check the light
Most inverters have a status light or a screen. As Edwin puts it: “If the green light on your inverter is green, you’re all good. If it starts flashing funny colours at you or gives you some kind of error code, that’s when you should call us.”
What the colours mean changes from brand to brand, so if you’re not sure, send us the photo. If it turns out to be an electrical fault, we’ll put you onto someone local who can sort it.
3. Look at the panels from the ground
Stand back on a bright day and have a look. You’re checking for:
- Grey-green crusty patches. That’s lichen. It’s the most common thing we find on systems that have been left, and it gets harder to shift the longer it stays. Our lichen guide explains why it matters.
- Bird mess, twigs or nesting material. Pigeons and mynas love the gap under panels. If you see birds going in and out, read up on bird proofing.
- A general film of grime. Panels a few years past their last clean often look dull rather than dirty.
4. Track down what you can
Ask the previous owner or the agent for anything they’ve got: who installed it, when, the warranty paperwork, and the login for the monitoring app. If nobody has it, don’t stress. The inverter label and a look at the panels tells us most of what we need.
5. Get a clean and a once-over
If the panels haven’t been cleaned in a while, that’s the first job. When a new homeowner books with us, we make a note on the file so the tech knows before they arrive. Before they even get on the roof, they’ll walk out to the inverter with you and spend five minutes on the basics.
Edwin’s version goes something like this: “DC on your roof, AC here in your inverter. DC comes into the inverter, and here’s what you look at.” That’s it. Five minutes, and you know how to tell if your system’s working.
While we’re up there we photograph the panels, the wiring and the mounts, and note anything that needs watching. That gives you a starting record for a system you didn’t buy new.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know if my solar panels are working?
Check the inverter. A green light or a normal reading on the screen means it’s producing. A flashing light in another colour or an error code means something needs looking at. If you have the monitoring app, compare this month with the same month last year.
Where is my solar inverter?
Usually in the garage, on an outside wall near the meter board, or inside a cupboard. Look for a box with a brand name, a small screen or a status light, and cables running up towards the roof.
The previous owner didn’t leave any paperwork. Is that a problem?
Not a big one. A photo of the inverter label and the panels tells us the brands and roughly how old the system is. Ask the agent too, since the installer’s details are sometimes in the sale documents.
Should I get the panels cleaned when I move in?
If you can’t find a record of the last clean, yes. You’ll get a clean set of panels, photos of their condition and a quick lesson on your inverter in the same visit.
We bought in Auckland, Wellington or Hawke’s Bay. Do you cover us?
Yes. See solar panel cleaning in Auckland, Wellington and Hawke’s Bay, or find your area.
Welcome to solar
Send us a photo of your inverter and your roof and we’ll tell you what you’ve got and whether it needs anything. Get a free quote, or read how long solar panels last.